Early arrest in Lille as French riot cops eye up chair-wielding footie fans ahead of England-Wales Euro 2016 clash
Fans out drinking early ahead of historic match between England and Wales at 2pm
By Kathryn Cain
16th June 2016,11:53 am
Updated: 16th June 2016,2:33 pm
FOOTBALL fans out in Lille have hit the bars to start celebrating early ahead of England’s historic match against Wales in the Euros this afternoon – with one arrest made already with hours still to go before kick off.
Three Lions supporters have been getting a few early bevvies in – ready to cheer on England as they take on the Welsh at the Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis in Lens at 2pm.
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A football fan is arrested in Lille as people gear up for the England v Wales Euro 2016 match this afternoon
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Cops eye up fans wielding chairs as they start drinking in bars ahead of the match later today in the town of Lens
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Riot cops keep an eye on footie fans ahead of the historic clash this afternoon involving England and Wales
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A flare is ignited as England fans hang a flag onto a bar’s canopy in central Lens which is normally a peaceful town
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England football fans splash about through a fountain in Lille as the excitement builds ahead of the match this afternoon
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Football fans were unfazed by the cooler weather in France, even frolicking in a fountain in Lille before the match
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An England supporter sunbathes while waiting for the much anticipated match to begin between England and Wales
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So far the partying has been friendly, with just one person arrested today – unlike during the scenes in Lille last night
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Football fans have been gathering once again in Lille for Euro 2016 and are in high spirits for the game later on
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Supporters have braved wet weather in Lille and Lens as they get ready for the match, even having a kick about
Footie fans are gearing up for when their teams clash in the group B stage.
Hundreds of Brits were out in force on the streets of Lille this morning, loading up for football history in the making.
Proud supporters waving flags started off a day of action – cheering on their teams with just a few hours to go before kick off.
So far the celebrations have remained light-hearted – with the exception of one supporter being carted off by police – a far cry from the violence on the same streets last night which broke out between English fans and Russian “ultras”.
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People young and old are coming together ready to cheer on England and Wales in the football
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Wales and England fans in Lens ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 match between England and Wales at 2pm
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England fans are getting ready for the kick off at 2pm by partying in Lille and Lens where the match is taking place
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England fans gear up for the match against Wales at 2pm by partying in the streets with fans of the Welsh team
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Fans starting celebrating early before their teams play later today, some even begun drinking in bars as early as 10am
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So far the crowds have remained peaceful with only one person being arrested with most supports in high spirits
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England fans on the streets of Lille celebrate ahead of today’s match against Wales in the Euro 2016 group B stage
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Hundreds of fans are preparing to watch their teams battle it out in the group B stage of the tournament
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An England football supporter lies on the road while fellow supporters douse him with alcohol as fans gather in bars outside the train station
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England fans with their faces painted pose for a photograph in a fan zone ahead of the England v Wales Euro 2016 Group B match in Lens, France
In the worst night of fighting so far 36 people were arrested as riot cops attempted to hold back the crowds by spraying them with tear gas.
Authorities said 16 people have been treated in hospital but gave no details about their injuries.
Some supporters were seen climbing road signs and while English cops – sent out to help with the security operation – urged fans to behave, French police charged at them repeatedly.
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An England fan covered in blood after being attacked by Russian Ultras on the streets of Lille last night
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Last night fans were tear gassed by riot cops after violence broke out between English and Russians
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Ugly violent clashes have marred the football tournament. Russia has been slapped with a suspended ban from UEFA
The clash came hours after a separate incident between Russian thugs and England and Wales fans.
Chairs were launched and a footie supporter was pictured unconscious on the same day Russia was warned it faces being kicked out of the tournament if trouble erupted again.
England and Wales supporters teamed up after they were attacked by Russian thugs who tried to storm a bar.
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